JARNAGIN, Spencer, a Senator from Tennessee; born in Grainger County, Tenn., in 1792; pursued
classical studies and graduated from Greenville College in 1813; studied law; admitted to the bar in
1817 and commenced practice in Knoxville; member, State senate 1833-1835; trustee of the East
Tennessee College 1836-1851; moved to Athens, Tenn., in 1837 and continued the practice of his
profession; presidential elector on the Whig ticket in 1840; Whig nominee for United States Senator in
1841 but the general assembly adjourned without electing a Senator; elected as a Whig to the United
States Senate and served from October 17, 1843, to March 3, 1847; chairman, Committee on
Revolutionary Claims (Twenty-eighth Congress); unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the Senate
and for member of the supreme court of Tennessee; moved to Memphis and continued the practice of
law; died in Memphis, Tenn., June 25, 1853; interment in Elmwood Cemetery.